“The multiple times were to make sure all the students get a chance to participate, “ said Lisa Simpson, a counselor and mentor for the Students4Change at Midview Middle. “Some kids don’t have rides readily available, so this way it’s more convenient for them.”

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Simpson said the students really want to tackle the stigma that accompanies school dances.

“School dances are usually a microcosm of the school as a whole,” she said. “Our group wants to prevent the social isolations that come with school life.

“Students often don’t feel comfortable and sit alone at lunchtime. The same happens at a school dance, or some kids simply don’t go to them. The kids thought it would be good if we had cooperative dances where you have to dance and your partners are randomized and switched throughout.”

Simpson said the Students4Change group takes a poll at the beginning of the year of what the student body wants to do.

“Our group has done many thing from painting rocks in the court yard, to having an improv comedy night,” she said. “The group really gets creative and knows what the students will want to do.

“We have also done things like handing out cookies and brought in speakers to talk about making good choices.”

Simpson was chosen to be the mentor of the Students4Change group by the school’s students.

“It’s an honor to know that they trusted me to mentor them,” she said. “I was touched when I heard they selected me, and I love being with this group of kids.

“It’s great to see students helping other students feel more included in the school, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Sarah Becka, 13, an eighth-grader at Midview Middle and a leader of Students4Change, said she loves being part of the group.

“It’s something that I feel is important,” Sarah said. “We should make other students feel more welcome and build a better, more supportive student body.

“We do a survey at the beginning of the year and at the end that asks students, basically, if they feel included. I’m happy to say that we had a 70 percent increase in students feeling included; I’m proud of that.”